The Don B. Huntley Gallery

Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain:

The Artistry of Gina M.

Jan 21, 2020 to Sep 16, 2021

Location: Don B. Huntley University Art Gallery

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Gina M exhibition installation view of gallery

Exhibition Statement

Enter a toy shop of childhood fantasy, fun and games! But look closely: what you think you see, may not be what you think.

Well-loved toys and plush animals gradually melt into a melancholy menagerie of misfits, displaying their busted and corroded wheels, sorrowful and broken faces, and worn-out and rusty exteriors. On display are the nostalgic elements of one’s youth –a toy box of whimsy, over-stuffed with humor and symbolism. Upon first glance, they are full of joyful memories. Upon closer look, they are aged and ragged, unmasking the gloomy overtones of childhood desolation.

Gina M.'s solo exhibition Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain is a full-scale immersive space installation combining both whimsical, found-object assemblages and trompe l'oeil ceramics --which fool the unsuspecting eye. The exhibition is an ‘open toy chest’ of nostalgia, whimsical fun, and ironic humor that gently leads the viewer to a darker repository of coded narratives and thoughtful allegory, disguising the anguish and loneliness that is all too often a part of a child’s youth.

Her life-like sculptures are made of high-fired clay, oxide washes, encaustic paint, and found objects. Their homespun construction and textured surfaces simulate threadbare fabric, tattered fur, and the broken button- eyes of careworn and faded toys that ‘come to life’ in a toy store-full of mischievous characters, stuffed-animal oddities, and dented train sets. Her sculptural assemblages made of antique found objects and vintage collectables, become stand-alone, Jack-in-the-box-esque creatures, ‘Freak Show’ specimens, and marionette- theater figurines. Together these lovable minions combine to create a large-scale installation that tantalizes the senses, triggers memories of childhood, oftentimes along with subtly, painful trauma.

With a dewy-eyed innocence, Gina M. reasonably questions the concepts of adulthood and its repercussions. Her vocabulary of iconic childhood imagery exudes urgent warnings of the inevitable loss of one’s youthful innocence, in exchange for the advancement to ‘adulthood’. While on a wild journey of happy spectacle, and sorrowful memory, lies the resurrection and self-love of her metaphorical inner-child –and with this, perhaps even one’s own.

 

Image at top: Installation View, Front of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition. 


Portrait of Artist Gina M.Artist Biography

Gina M. comes from an unconventional creative family. In the 1970s, her parents owned a puppet theater in California where she spent weekends developing shows, building puppets, and hosting birthday parties for strangers’ children. As a lonely child, nurtured by puppets and their puppeteers, her connection to anthropomorphic forms began early. She was often found in the corner of the playground, twisting grass and twigs into small figures.

In college, she studied interior design and color theory with a focus on painted murals, trompe l'oeil (fool-the-eye), and faux finishes. For twenty years she had a successful artistic wall treatment business—a career that greatly influences her art.

Her work incorporates innocence and whimsy, drawing the viewer in like bait; upon closer inspection layers of meaning emerge. Using iconic images from childhood, Gina M. explores the lingering emotional residue of her youth and creates three-dimensional narratives to release it and channel it into personal development.

Her current body of work combines assemblage with ceramics. These trompe l'oeil sculptures are made of high-fired clay, oxide washes, encaustic paint, and found objects. Their homespun construction and textured surfaces simulate threadbare fabric, tattered fur, and the broken button eyes of careworn and faded toys.

She selects materials based on their authenticity to the process. Clay represents fragility, a relationship to the earth, and the tradition of arts and craft. Recycled materials such as wood and found objects represent nostalgia and reference aging, decay and decomposition. Finally, encaustic wax and resins speak to her faux finish experience and love of historic art materials.

Gina M.’s work is exhibited throughout California. In October 2017, Gallery 825 hosted her solo show Midway. Two of her ceramic and assemblage pieces have received honorable mentions at the Ink & Clay 42 exhibit and at TAG gallery in the
2018 LA OPEN. El Camino college art gallery requested her work for inclusion in two group shows, Personal Matters and Mother and Child.

Gina M. is a member of Los Angeles Art Association and Pasadena Society of Artists. She currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

 

Check out Gina M.'s work at https://www.artistginam.com/

 

Image at top left: Photo portrait of Gina M.

 

"Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M." March 19, 2021, 12PM - 1PM, Artists Virtual Exhibition Talk and TourFriday, March 19, 2021 - 12:00 p.m. (PST) - Live via Zoom

Artist Virtual Exhibition Talk & Tour - Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M.

Promotion to join Artist Gina M. and Curator Michele Cairella Fillmore for their personal insight about their work, ask questions and encounter their art in a unique virtual experience like no other!

Gina M. Opening reception table at the Huntley Gallery

Saturday, January 25, 2020 - 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Opening Reception

Please join us during the opening reception on Saturday, January 25, from 2pm to 5pm! There will also be artist remarks at 3:30pm during the reception.

 

 

Front of Gallery Entrance with artwork "The Divine Oracle of Ms. Perception" by Gina M.Tuesday, January 21, 2020 - 4:00 pm

Exhibition Opening

The Huntley Gallery welcomes the public for the exhibition opening day of Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 4-8pm.

Artwork Listing

Artwork Listing

Gina M. Artworks

Gina M.'s solo exhibition Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain is a full-scale immersive space installation combining both whimsical, found-object assemblages and trompe l'oeil ceramics. The exhibition is an "open toy chest" of nostalgia, whimsical fun, and ironic humor that gently leads the viewer to a darker repository of coded narratives and thoughtful metaphor, masking the gloomy overtones of desolation and melancholy. Her life-like sculptures are made of high-fired clay, oxide washes, encaustic paint, and found objects. Their homespun construction and textured surfaces simulate threadbare fabric, tattered fur, and the broken button eyes of careworn and faded toys that "come to life" in a toystore-full of mischievous characters, plush animal misfits, and shiny train sets. Her sculptural assemblages made of antique found objects and vintage collectables, become stand-alone, Jack-in-the-box-esque creatures, freak show specimens, and marionette-theater figurines. Together these lovable minions combine to create a large-scale installation the tantalizes the senses, triggers memories of childhood, nostalgia, and painful psychological trauma, and with dewy-eyed innocence, reasonably questions concepts of adulthood and its repercussions.

Gina M. "Under Cover Bare" from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2016 high-fired ceramic 19 x 17 x 6” Courtesy of the artist
Under Cover Bare
Gina M. "Memory Mascot" from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2015 high-fired ceramic, glaze, repurposed door and hardware 80 x 24 x 14” Courtesy of the artist
Memory Mascot
Gina M. Not A Toy from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2016 high-fired ceramic, underglaze, encaustic wax 90 x 24 x 16” Courtesy of the artist
Not A Toy
Gina M. "My Bare Skin" from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2016 high-fired ceramic, cobalt oxide wash 60 x 36 x 14” Courtesy of the artist
My Bare Skin
Gina M. It’s Complicated from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2017 high-fired ceramic, rope, skates, oil paint 18 x 18 x 24” Courtesy of the artist
It’s Complicated
Gina M. Suspension of Disbelief from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2016 high-fired ceramic, spring, toy wheels, encaustic paint 18 x 18 x 24” Courtesy of the artist
Suspension of Disbelief
Gina M. Comedy. Tragedy. Encore. (Final Act) from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2016 mixed media, ceramic, encaustic paint and found objects 22 x 16 x 16” Courtesy of the artist
Comedy. Tragedy. Encore. (Final Act)
Gina M. I thought I could, I thought I could. from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2018 high-fired ceramic, glaze, shoelaces, wall hooks 36 x 72 x 8” Courtesy of the artist
I thought I could, I thought I could.
Gina M. Speed Bump from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, oxide wash 12 x 6 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Speed Bump
Gina M. Art of Balance from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2017 ceramic, found objects 14 x 12 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Art of Balance
Gina M. The Big Show from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, convex mirror shards, toys, step stool, toy tires, curtain and hardware 68 x 24 x 24” Courtesy of the artist
The Big Show
Gina M. In A Dream from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, ceramic skull, doll, plastic tube, magnifying glass, drum stand table, movie reel winders, fringe, found parts 68 x 24 x 24” Courtesy of the artist
In A Dream
Gina M. Not A Drill from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, blue box, doll parts, spring, gold table, horn, cabinet hardware 30 x 18 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Not A Drill
Gina M. Baby Bare from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2019 doll box, rope, found puppets and toys 68 x 38 x 28” Courtesy of the artist
Baby Bare
Gina M. Listen Little Lady from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, toy stove, man hands, doll parts, stool, mirrors, bronze baby shoes 61 x 24 x 16” Courtesy of the artist
Listen Little Lady
Gina M. I Got This from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, Clippo clown puppet, red wooden wagon, doll parts, sewing trim, toys 24 x 24 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
I Got This
Gina M. Ass Clown from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, doll bodies, rusty box, scrabble letters, shoe horns 36 x 14 x 17” Courtesy of the artist
Ass Clown
Gina M. My Little Pony from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, blue doll trunk, doll parts, clock case, silver tree, postcard, doll clothes 22 x 24 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
My Little Pony
Gina M. Knight of the Truth Bubble from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, camera, lamp parts, doll head, letter opener, found objects, paint 21 x 21 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Knight of the Truth Bubble
Gina M. Beauty and The Beast from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, iron fire grates, antique tables, clock parts, rope, fabric, found objects, acrylic paint 68 x 24 x 24” Courtesy of the artist
Beauty and The Beast
Gina M. Runs With Scissors from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, blue box, doll head, scissors, bullets, air freshener, bronze baby shoes 31 x 14 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Runs With Scissors
Gina M. Thief of Hearts from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, doll parts, wooden box, found toys 36 x 10 x 10” Courtesy of the artist
Thief of Hearts
Gina M. Whirled Stage from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2018 assemblage, child desk, puppet, paper, spotlights, found objects 62 x 36 x 20" Courtesy of the artist
Whirled Stage
Gina M. Shelter from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, oxide wash 11.5 x 10 x 5” Courtesy of the artist
Shelter
Gina M. Like Father Like Son from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, oxide wash 9 x 10 x 6” Courtesy of the artist
Like Father Like Son
Gina M. Joe the Bear and Sam the Mouse from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, oxide wash 9 x 6 x 7” Courtesy of the artist
Joe the Bear and Sam the Mouse
Gina M. Barrel and Monkey Ball from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, found objects 9 x 5 x 5” Courtesy of the artist
Barrel and Monkey Ball
Gina M. The Emperor is Naked from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, mixed media 7.5 x 5 x 6” Courtesy of the artist
The Emperor is Naked
Gina M. Garbage in. Garbage out. from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, oxide wash 13.5 x 24 x 7” Courtesy of the artist
Garbage in. Garbage out.
Gina M. No time to say. from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2018 high-fired ceramic, glaze, clock, hook 90 x 24 x 16” Courtesy of the artist
No time to say.
Gina M. Ever After from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2017 assemblage, found objects, ceramic gloves and rabbit 30.5 x 23 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Ever After
Gina M. The Show Must Go On, 2019 silk fabric and fringe, battery lights, repurposed folding screen, oil paint on board, found puppets and toys 90 x 120 x 36” Courtesy of the artist
The Show Must Go On
Gina M. F U and The Horse U Rode in On from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2017 mixed media, ceramic and found objects 68 x 48 x 27” Courtesy of the artist
F U and The Horse U Rode in On
Gina M. Following the leader wherever he may go. from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2017 high-fired ceramic, found objects, encaustic paint 14 x 96 x 24” Courtesy of the artist
Following the leader wherever he may go.
Gina M. The Divine Oracle of Ms. Perception, 2019 found church lectern, mirror placemats, crystal balls, filament, battery operated motion lights 95 x 36 x 21” Courtesy of the artist
The Divine Oracle of Ms. Perception
Gina M. Mawwiage from the Toy Box Kids Series, 2017 assemblage, doll head, clay skull, toy carriage, tray, doll clothes, displayed on vintage trunks 12 x 15 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Mawwiage
Gina M. Resist from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, oxide wash, acrylic pink 11.5 x 10 x 5” Courtesy of the artist
Resist
Gina M. Naked Meltdown from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2019 high-fired ceramic, found objects 11
Naked Meltdown
Gina M. Free Dumb from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2016 high-fired ceramic, rope, oil paint 48 x 12 x 12” Courtesy of the artist
Free Dumb
Gina M. Growing Pains from the Lost, Not Forgotten Series, 2016 high-fired ceramic, underglaze, antique oil wash 14 x 17 x 18” Courtesy of the artist
Growing Pains

 

Gallery Installation

 
Installation Pano View, Front of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition. 
Installation Pano View, Entrance to Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.

 

Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain, Entrance ViewInstallation View, Entrance to Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.

 

Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain, Front of Gallery Installation View, Front of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.

 

Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain, Front of Gallery, side angleInstallation View, Front of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.

 

Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain, Back of GalleryInstallation View, Back of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.

 

Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain, Back of gallery, back cornerangle Installation View, Back of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.

 

Installation Pano View, Back of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.
Installation Pano View, Back of Gallery, Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Exhibition.
-Virtual Exhibition

Screen capture of the virtual exhibition

About the Virtual Exhibition

The Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Virtual Exhibition is a 1GB downloadable file. It is an application-based file. It can take up to 5 minutes to download and 3 minutes to open. This Virtual Exhibition is only downloadable on computer desktops and not intended to be downloaded nor viewed on a smaller device such as a cell phone or tablet.

Download Info

System Requirements:
MacOS 10.14.6 or higher/Windows 10 required.

Downloading Instructions:
Download the zipped folder for your operating system and follow the steps below to enjoy our exhibition.
The application is not made by an Apple or Windows developer so a warning may prevent immediate operation of the file. This is normal for software offered outside the app store.
To start the exhibition with a MAC, right click on the executable file with theThrough the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. logo. Select "open" from the three options. If it does not work the first time, it should on the second try. 
To start with a PC, double click the .exe file and give permission when Windows asks.

Navigating Through the Exhibition

How to navigate: Navigate the space using a combination of mouse and keyboard.

To Move:
W=Move Forward          S= Move Backwards

A=Move Left                  D= Move Right
Use Mouse to Interact/Navigate:
When mouse cursor becomes a “hand” you can interact with the artwork. Clicking and dragging moves the view.
1. Click on the art object for the alternate views, captions, and artist statements.
2. Move close to monitors or books on stands to automatically activate videos or animate books.

Close App: Esc

Note: You can also use a game controller in combination with mouse.

To review the Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain: The Artistry of Gina M. Virtual Exhibition please review and/or download the following according to your needs:

Download Here

 The first button will download the virtual exhibition for any Windows users. The second button will download the virtual exhibition for any MAC users. 

 

Download WIN           Download MAC 
screen capture of virtual exhibition of though the toy shop and behind th curtain

 

Reception Video with Artist Talk

Enter a toy shop of childhood fantasy, fun and games! But look closely: what you think you see, may not be what you think. Gina M.'s solo exhibition Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain is a full-scale immersive space installation combining both whimsical, found-object assemblages and trompe l'oeil ceramics --which fool the unsuspecting eye.

Enjoy Gina M. discussing her creations and the journey of creating her exhibition in this video of the Artists' Reception event. Watch her give thanks to her colleagues and those who have taught her along the way.

 

Live Action Video Tour

The exhibition Through the Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain opened at the Huntley Art Gallery in January of 2020. Due to the Covid19 pandemic, it has remained closed to the public since. Despite the closure, you can still view the show through our video tour! Take a look inside and you might find a new friend. Fun Fact: This exhibition is still safely in display among the empty halls of the library. We like to imagine all these objects are rambunctiously keeping each other company.

This video shows an artistic rendition of a walkthrough of the exhibition. Find yourself exploring the Huntley Art Gallery and learning the names of the various artworks that adorn the location. 

 

Through The Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain The Artistry Of Gina M, Virtual Exhibition Talk and Tour

This video is a screen recording of the "Through The Toy Shop and Behind the Curtain The Artistry Of Gina M" Virtual Exhibition Talk and Tour Zoom event. Artist Gina M, with the help of the CPP art gallery staff, goes through the virtual exhibition and discuss various art pieces in her exhibition.